Ironing table



April 30, 1940. Q A FLAGSTAD 2,198,608

IRONING TABLE Filed July 22, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 050m A Ema: m0

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April 1940- I o. A. FLAGSTAD 2,193,608

IRONING TABLE Filed July 22, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Juwcnim 05cm: 19. Panama Patented Apr. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claim.

This invention relates to collapsible ironing tables, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient folding frame or supporting structure arrangement for an iron- 5 ing board and which may be easily and quickly set up for use. or collapsed when not in use, and which will act to rigidly and firmly support the board in its operative condition. Another object is to provide an assembly of this kind embodying a novel and effective latch arrangement for releasably retaining the parts in their set up condition, and which latch device will automatically, lockingly engage with the parts as they reach their operative positions and may then only be disengaged by manual operation, to thus prevent accidental collapse of the board. Further and more detailed objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following specification, reference being therein to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, and in which drawings- Fig. 1 is a perspective elevation of an ironing table constructed as in accordance with this invention, and as seen when set up for use.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view, at the rear portion of the board, showing the latch and link mechanism for retaining the parts in their set up positions.

Figs. 3 and 4 are cross sectional detail views, taken along the lines 33 and 4-4 respectively.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the table in partially collapsed condition.

Fig. 6 is a plan elevation of the table, showing the parts in fully collapsed positions.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, detail perspective view, showing the bracket mounting for the swinging link.

Referring now more particularly and by reference characters to the drawings. A designates generally the ironing board, B the rear leg frame. 0 the front leg frame, D the connecting frame between the leg frames, and E the brace frame. These parts make up the complete ironing table, and it may be noted that the generic term "board" is here used to represent only the flat member upon which the work is done. regardless of what material this board may be made.

Thegeneral schematic or diagrammatic arrangement of these frames, as shown, is quite similar to that which is disclosed in a number of my earlier Patents No. 1,963,977, No. 2,056,004, and No. 2,110,108, as well as in my copending application, Serial No. 213,355, filed June 13, 1938. Attention is invited to these disclosures for comparative purposes and, in order that the present construction may be more readily understood and its distinguishing features appreciated. the structure of the last mentioned application will be briefly described, inasmuch as the present invention contemplates improvements thereover.

In this structure (Serial No. 213,355) the leg frames B and C are rigid units pivotally connected to the board A on transversely extended axes and at points spaced lengthwise of the board. The leg frames are joined by a connecting frame D pivotally attached at its ends to the frames in such manner that the assembly of leg frames may collapse flatly against the board. The frames are retained in set up positions by a brace frame E pivotally connected to the rear leg frame and adapted to bear upwardly and rearwardly against the board to prevent the parts from collapsing. This brace irame is slidably mounted in the slot of bracket secured to the under. rear side of the board so that it may move forwardly as the leg frames are collapsed. In the set up condition of the board, the brace frame is then intended to slip into notches to retain it against sliding, collapsing action and the weight of the board is employed to hold the frame in said notches.

The present invention particularly aims to improve the brace frame assembly, by providing it with a positive, manually releasable latch, and by eliminating the slotted bracket assembly and substituting therefor a swinging link member connected between the brace frame and board for allowing the movement of the frame necessary in the collapse of the parts. The present construction will now be described in detail.

The board A is of the usual size and shape, and it may obviously be made of wood, metal, or other suitable material. The rear leg frame B comprises the laterally or transversely spaced legs i0 which are pivoted at their upper ends to depending lugs on the under side of the board. so as to be swingable on the transverse pivot axis i2. The front leg frame C also comprises a pair of leg bars i3, pivoted at their upper ends to board lugs so as to swing from a transverse pivot axis i4 (spaced forwardly from axis i2), and the lower ends of these leg bars converge to a single foot resting on the floor centrally under the fore end of the board to support the same.

The connecting frame D comprises a pair of forwardly converging tension bars or rods IS, the front ends of which are pivoted near the lower ends of the .leg bars l3, as at l6, while their rear ends are pivoted to the legs Iii, as at H. This connecting frame thus tends to lock the leg frames B and C against spreading action on the floor under weight of the board, and also serves to cause these frames to fold or collapse in unison.

As thus far described, the structure and operation are identical to that disclosed in my last filed application hereinbefore identified, The drawings herewith further illustrate the use of diagonal operating rods 28 which are pivotally connected to the board at 1-1 and to the rear legs ID at 29 in such manner that they will act to spread these legs transversely as they reach their erected position. Then, as the parts are collapsed. these members 28 will draw the legs l together so that they will stand substantially parallel (Fig. 6) and will not project from the lateral margins of the board, when not in use.

The brace frame E is substantially v-shaped and comprises rods or bars i8 which are pivotally connected at one end to the rear legs ill, at It. In accordance with the present invention these rods l8 are pivotally connected at their converging rear ends at 30 to a link or bar II which in turn is pivotally connected at its opposite end, as at 32, between the punched out and suitably apertured ears 83 of a bracket 34. This bracket 34 is secured to the underside of the board A rearwardly of the pivot axis for the rear leg frame B, and in such position that .the link may swing rearwardly flat against the underside of the board, in which position the brace frame E will stand upwardly and rearwardly from the rear leg frame to brace against the board and retain the parts in their erected positions. This is shown clearly in Fig. l. The length of the link, however, is such that it will swing forwardly as the parts collapse, and as pulled by the brace frame E to thus allow the parts to fold flat against the board, as shown in Figs. and 6.

For positively retaining the parts in operative condition, I provide the latch device designated generally at 35, and which is designed to engage the "knee or joint between the brace frame E and the link SI and hold the same against the underside of the board, or to prevent the straightening and unfolding of the knee. To this end the latch device comprises a sliding latch bar or bolt 38 of square or multilateral cross section, slidably mounted through a bracket or housing 31 secured to the underside of the board to sup port the latch for movement lengthwise of the board. This assembly is arranged rearwardly of the point at which the brace frame E rests against the underside of the board and the locking end of the latch extends forwardly in spaced relation to the board in such manner that it'may slip forwardly below the rear extremity of the link 3| to thus hold the parts against movement. Howeveryby withdrawing the latch from this engagement, the link will clear and the parts may be collapsed.

The bracket 31 is made of sheet metal bent to provide ends 38 which are suitably provided with apertures for slidably receiving the latch bar 36 and holding it against rotation about its axis. The ends 38 have outwardly turned, apertured foot portions 40 which are employed to secure the bracket to the board, as by screws 4|, and intermediate these ends the bolt is enclosed' by the bottom and side members 42 and 43 of the bracket. A torsional coil spring 44 is supported within these enclosing portions 42 and 43 of the bracket upon a transversely extended rivet 45, and one end 46 of this spring bears against the underside of the board, while the other, 41, is inserted through an opening in the latch so that the latch is normally urged forwardly to overlie the link II, as described; A handle loop 48 is secured to the rear end of the latch 38, and may be grasped by the hand for pulling the bolt rearwardly and disengaging the latch from the link, and this loop also projects sufficiently from the rear end of the board to serve as a convenient means for hanging the board when not in use. The rearward, disengaging movement of the latch is limited by contact of a stop pin 48, which is secured through the latch, with the rear end of the bracket 31. or locking end of the latch is beveled off, forwardlyand upwardly, as indicated at 50, and the reason for this will presently appear.

In use, the table is set up by so holding the board A that the various frames may, of their own weight, unfold and reach their operative positions. The knee or joint 30 between the brace frame E and link 3| may thus come in contact with the latch 38 and by camming action against the beveled end 50 of said latch will urge the latch rearwardly and allow the knee to bear against the board. The latch then will spring forwardly under influence of the spring 44 and the parts will be positively locked in erected positions. To fold the parts the latch 38 is pulled rearwardly by the hand loop 48 and the frontal end of the board is tipped downwardly as the rear is raised (Fig. 5) so that the various frames will of their own weight swing to folded or collapsed positions. The latch device thus serves as. the single locking means for all parts, and it will be evident that I have thus provided a most effective and positive locking means for the brace frame E and which will prevent accidental collapse of the table even should it be lifted and moved from place to place in erected condition.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A collapsible ironing table comprising an ironing board, leg frames pivotally connected to the ironing board for supporting the same when .in their operative positions, a brace frame pivotally connected to one of the leg frames and extending upwardly therefrom to bear against the board and support the said leg frame in operative position, a link member pivotally connected to the upper end of the brace frame and pivotally connected to the ironing board at a point between the upper end of the brace frame and the leg frame to which said brace frame is connected, and means to brace the other of said leg frames with respect to said board.

2. A collapsible ironing table comprising an ironing board, front and rear leg frames pivotally connected to the board for supporting the same when in their operative positions, a tension member connecting the leg frames, a brace frame pivotally connected at one end to the rear le frame and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom for bracing at its upper end against the board to thereby retain the leg frames in operative positions, and a link member pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of the brace frame and pivotally connected to the board between the upper end of the brace frame and the rear leg frame.

3. A collapsible ironing table comprising an ironing board, front and rear leg frames pivotally It will be noted that the frontal connected to the board for supporting the same in operative position, a tension device connecting the leg frames, a brace frame pivotally connected at one end to the rear leg frame and extending upwardly and rearwardiy therefrom, a link bar pivotally connected at one end to the board between the upper end of the brace frame and the rear leg frame, the said link bar being also pivotally connected, at its other end, to the upper end of the brace frame to thereby form a knee adapted to bear against the board and brace the leg frames in their operative positions, and a latch device adapted to engage the junction of the brace frame and link bar to thereby releasably retain the frames in operative positions.

4. A collapsible ironing table comprising an ironing board, front and rear leg frames pivotaliy connected to the board for supporting the same in operative position, a tension device connecting the leg frames. a brace frame pivotally connected at one end to the rear leg frame and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a link connected at one end to the upper end of the brace frames and at its other end to the board 25 and cooperating when the brace frame when at an acute angle with respect thereto to form a supporting knee for the rear end of the board, and means for releasably securing said knee in supporting engagement with the board.

5. A collapsible ironing table comprising an ironing board, supports for respective opposite end portions of the board, one of said supports including a pair of legs pivotally connected at their upper ends to an intermediate part of the board for folding movement toward one end of the board, a link normally disposed longitudinaliy under the board and with its end nearest said legs pivoted to the board. a brace pivotally connected to said legs and extending upwardly at an acute angle-to the link for pivotal connection therewith to form a supporting knee under the board, means for releasably securing the knee in such supporting position under the board. the link and brace being proportioned and arranged so that when the knee is released they will allow the legs to swing from supporting position and in a direction away from the link into folded positions.

OSCAR A. FLAGSTAD. 25 

